Yes it's been raining, but Lehigh Valley now under a drought watch

TATIANA RIVERA, THE MORNING CALL

Fans sit in rain Monday at a Lehigh Valley IronPigs game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. Despite 4.84 inches of rain this month, the Lehigh Valley has been placed under a drought watch, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced today.

Fans sit in rain Monday at a Lehigh Valley IronPigs game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. Despite 4.84 inches of rain this month, the Lehigh Valley has been placed under a drought watch, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced today. (TATIANA RIVERA, THE MORNING CALL)

Despite 4.84 inches of rain this month, the Lehigh Valley has been placed under a drought watch, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced today.

Bedford, Blair, Centre, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties were also added to the list.

The list was expanded following a June 8 meeting of the state's Drought Task Force. The very dry fall and below-normal precipitation from January to May continues to contribute to low groundwater and surface water levels throughout the state, according to a DEP press release.

The Lehigh Valley was 2.66 inches below normal as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Many counties, including some under drought watch, have recently had rapid, heavy rain events. These rain events cause erosion and typically do not improve conditions for ground water and soil moisture.